If you are a parent, or a soon-to-be parent studying at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app, there is a range of support available to enable your success at university.
Support for parents and carers
Support with your studies
Our Student Support Coordinators can assist you with any disruptions to your university studies, or help you navigate juggling your home and study life. In addition to this, if your child is unwell or if you are experiencing any complications with your pregnancy, you may be eligible for academic consideration.
If you have experienced discrimination or harassment whilst at University, or are experiencing violence, abuse or harassment either at University or in your home life, our Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC) team can support you to navigate this.
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app also has a . Connecting with students, with similar lived experiences, will increase the support networks available to you at university.
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app is proud to be an accredited Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA). We wholeheartedly support the right to breastfeed in public and welcome breastfeeding across all our campuses. This accreditation highlights our commitment to fostering a supportive environment for both nursing staff and students within our community.
Balancing parenting and study at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app made it possible for me to be both a student and a parent. The understanding and flexibility from my lecturers meant I could keep moving forward, even when things felt overwhelming. You don’t have to do it the way everyone else does. You can take longer, take breaks, cry in the car if you need to. That doesn’t make you any less deserving of success.
Facilities for parents
Combined Parents and First Aid Rooms are available across our campuses. The rooms provide a space for parents (both students and staff members) to feed and change your baby, with some spaces featuring a small kitchenette.
First aid recliners have been added to each room to provide respite and a calming space to recharge for your mental health. First aid kits are provided in each room, for low risk and/or minor respite.
You can use the to search for the closest parents room on ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app campus.
is an Early Education and Care Service available on ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app campuses and in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app CBD. Kids' Uni is operated by ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app Pulse and is a not-for-profit. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app students receive priority access to the service.
Northfields Psychology Clinic provide a range of programs and services for children and their families including parenting programs, programs for children, and therapy services.
Services are provided by provisional psychologists who are currently undertaking postgraduate study in Professional and Clinical Psychology.
Frequently asked questions
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app seeks to provide a family friendly workplace and study environment and has a .
Below are some frequently asked questions for parents studying at ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app.
- What if I need to breastfeed during class?
- Can I take my child to class?
- What if I need to take a break from my studies?
Breastfeeding is supported. Breaks from class can be discussed with your lecturer.
In circumstances which are unforeseen and/or unavoidable and where you are unable to make alternative arrangements, you may need to take your child into a class.
You will need to contact your lecturer prior to the class commencing to seek their permission. This should not be seen as an alternative to regular childcare arrangements and ensure that the child does not disrupt the normal business of the class.
Please note that some classes held in art studios and laboratories are not safe for children, so these requests will not be approved.
You can always take a leave of absence from your studies. We would recommend speaking to one of our Student Support Coordinators, to ensure that this is the best option for you, and putting in a place to support you to return to your studies.